4 Dec 2017

Festive Red and Green Gin Cocktail Recipe

It was last year on New Year’s Eve when a few of us got
together to celebrate. With no prior training or experience, all it took was a
few G&Ts before we were signed up to do a 60 mile bicycle ride. On a more
sensible note, there were plans to organise and run a book club. We were to
meet every month and discuss a book we had all read. The idea was to get everyone reading again.

As things stand, all of us completed the cycle ride as planned. The book club is another story. It has slowly but surely morphed into
a Gin Club. So we girls meet every month as per the original plan. But instead
of discussing books, we end up drinking gin and talking bicycles instead. And we
always play 80s music.

Having heard of our Gin Club, the English Gin Company kindly
sent me a bottle of their Cucumber Gin to sample. This aromatic gin infused with
cucumber, with a juniper base and notes of pepper, coriander and citrus, is the
perfect drink for summer.

So what are we doing drinking it in the run up to Christmas?

With a little imagination, I was able to transform the Cucumber
Gin to a Red and Green Gin perfect for the festive season. It went down a treat
at Gin Club.

Here is how I stirred up my version of a Festive Red and
Green Gin Cocktail. It is quick and easy to make without the need for fancy gadgets or expensive equipment.

30 ml cucumber gin

250 ml diet tonic water

1/2 teaspoon lime juice

25-30 pomegranate pearls

7-8 mint leaves + a mint sprig for the garnish

3 thin cucumber slices

crushed ice

Crush ice by placing it in a freezer bag and whacking it
with a rolling pin. Works a treat and is strangely therapeutic. Fill the gin
goblet with crushed ice.

Place the gin, 30 mls tonic water, lime juice and mint
leaves in a glass. Muddle and mix thoroughly with a spoon. Top up with the
remaining tonic water. Give it another stir, before pouring the mixture over crushed
ice. Garnish with a mint sprig, cucumber slices and pomegranate pearls.

This Red and Green Gin Cocktail is great any time of year, but
more so over Christmas. With green cucumber and mint and beautiful ruby red
pomegranate gems, the Red and Green Gin Cocktail enthuses the spirit of the
festive season.

Are you a fan of gin? How do you like drinking your G&T?

Disclosure: I was sent a bottle of Cucumber Gin to review. All opinions are my own.